Iraq's President Barham Salih on Tuesday called for "restraint and respecting the law" after the security forces opened fire and used tear gas to disperse thousands of angry anti-government protesters in Baghdad, killing at least two and wounding more than 200.
In a late-night tweet, Mr Salih said: "Peaceful protest is a constitutional right for all citizens. Our sons in the security forces have the duty to protect citizens’ rights and to maintain public security."
He went on to say: "Iraq’s youth are looking towards reform and job opportunities, our duty is to meet these legitimate aspirations". He closed by saying "may the martyrs rest in peace and the wounded recover".
The clashes were some of the worst in the Iraqi capital in more than a year, and signalled that the country could be facing a new round of political instability.
On Tuesday afternoon, thousands of people marched on central Baghdad's Tahrir Square in what began as a peaceful rally.
But as the slogans chanted by the crowd of mostly young men, some of whom were university students, became increasingly anti-government, riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
“We want the government to be changed. We are ruled by a bunch of parties and militias who have destroyed Iraq,” a protester told AP.
Many of the demonstrators held posters of popular army commander Lt Gen Abdulwahab Al Saadi, whose recent dismissal sparked controversy, with some blaming the country's Iran-backed politicians.
Iraqis largely credit Lt Gen Al Saadi with leading the fight against ISIS.
As well as the capital, the protests spread to several Iraqi provinces and cities including Najaf, Nasiriyah and Diwaniyah.
As dusk descended on Baghdad, the protests became more violent. The sound of live ammunition and gunfire was heard in videos being circulated by local journalists.
A statement issued by the Iraqi interior and health ministries said that 40 members of the security forces were among the wounded.
It said it regretted the violence that accompanied the protests in Baghdad and other provinces, blaming “a group of rioters”, while calling for calm and restraint.
The protesters criticised the government's failure to improve public services and create jobs.
After the protests, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi promised jobs for graduates, the state-run news agency reported.
Mr Abdul Mahdi instructed the oil ministry and other government bodies to start including a 50 per cent quota for local workers in contracts with foreign companies.
Iraq suffered for decades under the rule of former dictator Saddam Hussein and UN sanctions, before the 2003 US-led invasion started years of civil war.
The country is increasingly caught in the middle of US-Iran tension in the region, which began after the White House withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal last year.
A US State Department official told The National that the Iraqi government was "aware of and monitoring the protests", and that the reports regarding the loss of life were "deeply concerning".
"We believe that public demonstrations are a fundamental element of all democracies, but there is no place for violence in those demonstrations," the official said, calling on all sides for calm.
Ali Al Bayati, a member of the Independent High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq, said that using violence against protesters was against the constitution.
Mr Al Bayati said a member of the commission was injured in the protest.
Balsam Mustafa, a researcher of Iraqi politics and society, said Iraqis were fed up with the government’s failure to meet their demands.
"This time it is not only about electricity; the issue is much bigger than that," Ms Mustafa said.
There were massive protests in Iraq last year, which began in the south – the heartland of the Shiite majority – and more this year over a lack of basic amenities, such as electricity.
Clashes took place between the security forces and protesters who are incensed by collapsing infrastructure, frequent power cuts and widespread corruption.
Over the past months, protests across Iraq have left scores of people injured.
Similar protests and confrontations took place on Friday in the southern cities of Basra and Nasiriyah.
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
